Newcastle didn't give Slimani chance to shine

Islam Slimani made his first start for Newcastle on Monday night, following an injury-fractured start to his loan spell in the north-east.

However, the Algeria international could not help fire Rafa Benitez’s side to victory.

But according to Newcastle defender Jamaal Lascelles, that was not Slimani’s fault.

“He’s a good player and he settled in really well against Arsenal. He worked hard for us at Everton and they made it hard for us to play and to give him good service. You can’t point the finger at anybody because we win as a team and lose as a team. We didn’t really get the chance to get the ball down and play or get up the pitch. Sometimes you’ve just got to hold your hands up and say fair play to Everton, because we gave our all.”

Walsh and Izzet producing future stars

Leicester City legends Steve Walsh and Muzzy Izzet are on the lookout for the next crop of future stars.

The duo, such key figures in Martin O’Neill’s famous side in the late 90s, are helping budding youngsters bridge the gap between training to be a professional footballer as well as the education they need to fall back on if it doesn’t work out.

Walsh and Izzet have set up the Advanced Football Development Academy (AFDA) to do just that.

Muzzy Izzet and Steve Walsh football academy. Leicester City legends Steve Walsh and Muzzy Izzet have been developing a programme for over 16s in Whetstone and Melton Mowbray over the past four years which helps create a new pathway for teenagers, combining quality football coaching with post school qualifications such as BTEC and NVQs. (Image: Copyright unknown)

Puel already preparing for the summer

Puel has already brought in Fousseni Diabate, who already looks a player with great potential, and now we know that City are on the hunt for Pereira.

“We work not just in the transfer window period but all the season together with the directors and the recruiters and the owners to prepare for next season, and to have all the response to replace some players, to bring good options and good additions in the squad.”